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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 18, 2012)
opinion What Would King Say? Occupy Wall Street I always feel inspired and elated, but also challenged and chagrined, at some of the celebrations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. There are those, too many folks, who want to sani- tize Dr. King and turn him into a dreamer. Too many only quote the part of his “I have a dream” speech that talks about character content and skin color. Too few remember that in the same speech he said, “We have come to the nation’s capital to cash a check, and the check has been marked insufficient funds.” Dr. King was an economic populist, an anti-war activist, as well as a classically trained theologian. Too many put emphasis on Unless policy shifts are made, the wealth gap will grow even wider than it is today the latter, without acknowledging the former. That’s why each year, I am excited to receive the State of the Dream report from United for a Fair Economy. This organization does great work in talking about the wealth gap, and their annual foray into exploring the dream has looked at joblessness, homelessness, and austerity. Last CAREER READINESS INSTRUCTOR year their report shared facts on the rel- ative pay that people of color earn in the public and the private sector and concluded that austerity programs that cut government jobs disproportionately Julianne affect people of color. Malveaux This year’s report focuses on the Emerging Majority, and concludes that unless policy shifts are made, the wealth gap will grow even wider than it is today. Additionally, they project that by 2042, just 30 years from now when people of color are a majority in our society, nearly 5 percent of the African American popula- tion and 2 percent of the Latino population will be in prison if current incarceration trends continue. The report’s set of policy recommendations includes a recommendation to end the war on drugs. Indeed, more than half of those currently incarcerated are casualties of the drug war, some with very minor offenses, and others with conditions that warrant drug treatment, not incarceration. “Economic inequality between whites and people of color will persist unless bold and intentional steps are taken to make meaningful progress towards racial equity, to sever the connection between race and poverty, and ultimately to eliminate the racial economic divide altogether,” the report says in its Executive Summary. But such bold words are belied by the growing gap, increasing poverty, the unem- ployment rate differential, and continuing barriers to educa- tional access in communities of color and among those who are low income. While our international competitors are investing in education, we are simply divesting. It is almost as if we have made a decision to devolve into a developing country. B enneTT C OlleGe What would Dr. King say about all this? I think he’d be outside with the folks from Occupy Wall Street, and I think he’d be directing them to a 21st century version of the Poor People’s Campaign. I think he’d be standing outside some of the banks, asking why they deserve the bailouts that ordi- nary people can’t get. Just as he occupied a housing project in Chicago, I bet he’d camp out with a family experiencing foreclosure. I know he’d be challenging us all. There have been significant changes since Dr. King was assassinated in 1968, and the signs don’t say white or col- ored any more. The signs don’t have to say it – in some instances outcomes do. Read the rest of this story online at www.theskanner.com We honor the many accomplishments of African Americans. VANCOUVER HOUSING AUTHORITY VISTA COURT Troutdale, Oregon Career Training and educational school serving young adults ages 16-24 years seeks individual to assist stu- dents in developing and achieving their career plans. Conduct activities associated with intellectual and social development and student’s adjustment to center life. Provide aptitude and interest assessments to assist in choosing an appropriate career pathway. Other duties as required. Must have bachelor’s degree and valid Oregon Teaching Certificate. Driver’s license in state of resi- dence with an acceptable driving record required. One year instructional experience preferred. Competitive salary and complete benefits package available. Applicants must apply on-line at www.mtcjobs.com by close of business day Friday, January 30, 2012. Veteran’s and minorities encouraged to apply. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! 1-18-12 Subsidized Rent for Persons 62 and Over Brand new 1 and 2 BR units Accessible units available All non-smoking building Household income must be below 50% of Area Median Income: $25,200 for one person $28,800 for two To apply call 993-9581 or come by Vancouver Housing Authority, 2500 Main St Property Address: 1405 Esther Street Vancouver Housing Authority, in accordance with vari- ous Federal and State laws, does not discrimi- nate against anyone based on race, color, reli- gion, sex, national origin, disability, familial sta- tus or sexual orientation 1-18-12 SUB-BIDS REQUESTED Multnomah County Sellwood Bridge Replacement Project Bids Due: February, 10, 2012 Plans available January 20, 2012, at the OAME Plan Center, ARC Oregon, MCIP, and at the Sellwood Bridge Jobsite Trailer at 8240 SW Macadam Ave, Portland, Oregon, 97219. Bid Packages also available at the ftp site upon regis- tering. Mandatory Pre-Bid is January 26, 2012 at 8 a.m. located in the Willamette Room in the DEA Office Building located at 2100 SW River Parkway, Portland, Oregon, 97201. Scope includes: Excavation, Drilled Shafts, and Tie Backs SLAYEN/SUNDT JOINT VENTURE Contact: Mike James at 602/377-2825 or at dmjames@sundt.com for technical questions and bidding information. SUB-BIDS REQUESTED City of Portland Guilds Lake Pump Station Improvements Rebid Date: January 26, 2012 @ 2:00 P.M. NATT McDOUGALL COMPANY Phone: 503-783-0620 Fax: 503-783-0626 20182 SW 112th Avenue Tualatin, OR 97062 Richard Krumm Chief Estimator For plans and specifications, visit our website @ www.nmc1988.com OR CCB#186281 WA license number: NATTMC*055RE We are an equal opportunity employer and request sub-bids from disadvantaged, minority, women and emerging small business enterprises. Note: This project has a 20% DMWESB goal, a 20% appren- ticeship/per craft requirement, and a workforce uti- lization goal of 20% minority and 14% women. NMC is looking for small businesses, subcontrac- tors and suppliers, interested in bidding on this proj- ect. We are an equal opportunity employer & request bids from all interested firms including dis- advantaged, minority, woman, veteran, service-dis- abled veteran and HUB Zone businesses. 1-18-12 It is our primary goal as a labor union to better the lives of all people working in the building trades through advocacy, civil demonstration, and the long-held belief that workers deserve a "family wage" - fair pay for an honest day's work. A family wage, and the benefits that go with it, not only strengthens families, but also allows our communities to become stronger, more cohesive, and more responsive to their citizens' needs. Our family wage agenda reflects our commitment to people working in the building trades, and to workers every- where. In this small way, we are doing our part to help people achieve the American Dream. This dream that work- ers can hold dear regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, creed, or religious beliefs. The Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters Representingmorethan 5.000constructionwork- ersinOregonState. Do you want to know more about becoming a Union carpenter? 1-18-12 January 18, 2012 The Portland Skanner Page 7
